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First Time Massage Questions

Thinking of getting a professional massage for the first time? You may have questions before you make the appointment.

Maybe you’re self-conscious about getting undressed in front of a stranger. Or you’re worried that the massage will hurt. Or you’re hoping it will cure a backache you’ve had for years.

To help put you at ease before your first massage, here are frequently asked questions and answers about massage. So stop fretting and just relax — that’s the whole point of getting a massage.

What type of massage should I get?
There are many different styles of massage. The most common is the Swedish massage, which is a whole-body therapeutic massage designed to relax the muscles and joints. Other popular types include deep tissue, shiatsu, hot stone, reflexology, and Thai massage. You may want to choose a specialty, like sports massage or pregnancy massage, if that suits your needs.

When should I schedule a massage?
Think about your day’s schedule before you set up your massage. For example, don’t eat right before or exercise immediately after your massage.

Will I be naked?

You only need to take off only as much clothing as you’re comfortable removing. You can leave your undergarments on if you choose, as massage can be done through clothing. The massage therapist will give you privacy while you undress or leave the room. During the massage, the therapist will use a sheet or towel to drape the parts of your body that are not being massaged. Is the massage going to hurt?

It shouldn’t hurt, but you should keep the lines of communication open. If a therapist is pressing too deeply in an area, you should tell them.

Should I talk during the massage?

It’s up to you. Some people like to remain quiet and listen to music during the massage. Others like to make light conversation. Tell your massage therapist your preference.

What if I fall asleep?

You may get drowsy during the massage, so don’t worry if you fall asleep. Your massage therapist will wake you up at the end of the massage.

How will I feel after the massage?

You should feel some relief after a massage. Sometimes you may experience 24-48 hours of soreness.

After a massage, you should feel relaxed and mellow, a little bit like you’ve had a glass of wine. That has to do with the changes in neurochemicals like serotonin and endorphins.

Massage & Working at a Desk

Desk workers are notorious for sharing some of the worst aches and pains because they are confined to a chair for 8 hours a day. Not only does the affect your body physically but can also take a toll on your mental health as well. Many office workers experience back pain, headaches, stiff joints, and more ailments. Massage can help realign your spine to fix your posture from bending over a computer all day and help to relieve the pains associated with desk work.

Massages can counteract the bad postures your body is put through during the day. That means our deep tissue massage will work past the first layer of muscle tissue to relieve chronic pain and increase joint mobility. Not to mention, our relaxation massage is great to engage the sympathetic nervous system and relax the mind and body. This is especially great for people that have very high-stress jobs or tend to get anxious during job projects. What better way to unwind than with a massage?

The strain of looking at a computer all day tends to give us headaches and migraines that just don’t seem to go away. Massages increase blood flow circulation and smooth out those tense muscles in order for them to heal. This gives your body a chance to relax and enjoy the break away from the desk.

It’s not just your back and shoulders that feel the pressure – You can develop knots in your forearms and stiffness in your wrists from typing. With a full-body massage, we’ll be able to work out the kinks so you can keep pounding that keyboard.

Massage is a great natural way to improve productivity, alleviate stress, and heal your body’s aches without the use of chemicals or drugs. While each situation is different, your body can greatly benefit from a professional massage tailored to your unique needs.

With many different massage techniques available, Precision Wellness is your go-to for any and all treatments. Let us know your specific ailments when you come to see us, and we’ll help you decide the perfect massage for you! We offer deep tissue, neuromuscular, relaxation, Thai, and herbal oil-infused massage at our location right here in Springfield, Missouri!

Summer Skin Care

Just because you’re out and about during the summer, that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on skin care! This is the time when you tend to bare a lot more skin than the winter months, which means you’re exposing it to bad UV rays, slathering on greasy sunscreen, and clogging up pores with sweat (can you just feel the breakouts happening??). During the hot, humid, summer months is when your skin especially needs a boost of love, and here’s what you can do:

While you might think that the look of tans are worth the damage, they really aren’t. Tanning beds and harmful UV levels will lead to wrinkles, dryness, and might even lead to skin cancer. We recommend using high SPF sunscreen and moisturizing often to lock in your skin’s glow for years to come. Don’t forget those lips either! Look for lip balm with an SPF of 15 to keep those smackers smackin’.

If you feel that you really want that summer tan, but don’t want to damage your skin, invest in a sunless tanner! These can give you that darker tint and still leave your skin looking beautiful.

Exfoliating can also help your skin stay fresh and clear by rubbing out all the dirt and getting rid of the dull skin on top. Body treatments like our Full Body Sugar Scrub Exfoliation can brighten and hydrate your skin while also being anti-cellulite! There are many ways you can exfoliate your body and getting a body treatment is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy the summer.

With how much we sweat during the summer, it’s crucial that you take the time to develop a facial skin care routine. Getting regular facials and cleaning your face daily will help to get that nasty dirt and grime that comes with sweat out of your pores – keeping your face clear of blemishes!

You don’t have to worry about your skin breaking out and looking dull by keeping these tips in mind! Scheduling facials and body treatments through Precision Wellness will help keep that acne at bay and your skin looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

What You Should Know About Chemical Peels

The word “chemical” scares people off – we’re so used to hearing the worst things about chemicals that many of us don’t think about the benefits. The facials that we provide use a mild acid to gently remove the damaged layers of your skin, leaving behind beautifully smooth and glowing skin.

During the consultation with your esthetician, she will go over the type of facial she recommends for you (or if you have one in mind, she will explain what it all entails). Each facial has its different perks; some boost collagen to encourage a youthful and radiant glow, and others focus on removing dead skin to reveal the beautiful new skin underneath.

Peels can be completed anywhere between 30 minutes to one hour – the length of time is determined by the type of massage. For most, the healing process after a peel usually takes about one to two weeks. Because of this, we recommend getting a chemical peel no more than once every few weeks. While getting a facial peel is great for you, you want to give your skin enough time to build up another protective layer before getting another one.

Depending on the peel, clients can expect some minor flaking, irritation, and redness at least the first few days. This is your body’s way of promoting new, healthy skin growth in place of the dead cells that were removed during the chemical peel.

It’s important to remember that chemical peels are safe when performed by a professional. Once you see your new, cleansed, toned, refreshed skin, there will be no going back! (This is where people get hooked!) Our licensed estheticians, Serenia and Chloe, have extensive experience with chemical peels and would love to see how they can make your skin bright and youthful again!

Massage & Exercise

How adding massage to your exercise regimen can help you stay pain free… and help improve your results!

Massage isn’t just for super relaxation – it can also help that scale move! For many people, one of their New Year’s resolutions is to get healthier and shed a few pounds. Taking on the gym, though, can have a huge effect on your body (sometimes in ways that don’t feel all that great).

Here’s why massage is going to help your body do more than relax:

It can help the pain of sore muscles! Nobody likes that day after a really hard workout where it feels like you can’t move. Your muscles are super tense, and every movement feels like some form of torture. Getting a massage as some post-workout care means your muscles get a chance to loosen up, allowing you to recover more easily (and less painfully!).

It helps you get in the right mindset! Getting all amped up on pre-workout and protein is great and all… until you’re ready to crash from the exhaustion. Constantly pushing yourself to the max (no matter what anyone says) is NOT good for your health. Your mental health ties in directly to your physical health and receiving calming massages can help you relieve the stress build-up.

It’ll help with flexibility! Keeping your muscles workable is crucial for your workouts. For many people, as you do more and more workouts, you have to build on your flexibility to be able to do more extensive workouts.

Whether you use massage as a way to unwind after an intense workout, or to boost flexibility for future exercising, knowing what your body needs to flourish is important. Every body is different in what it needs, and you know your body best. If you’d like to set up a massage with one of our experienced massage therapists, please call 417-886-1131.

Self-Care and Season Change

season change woman smiling application under eyes

It’s no secret that our attitudes can change drastically based on the changing of the seasons. According to PsychologyToday.com, seasonal depression affects an estimated 10 million Americans every year. Not only that, weather change affects our sinuses, our immune system and just our bodies in general. Are you feeling blue that winter is here? Combat that with some self care!

Get moving! Whether that’s through a full-body workout 3 times a week, or a 30 minute walk a day, getting your body moving helps to improve your overall mood and health. When your blood pumps through your body, it also moves out buildup of toxins and can help clear your head. Plus, it’ll help fight that winter weight gain many of us struggle with every year.

Get to sleeping! Sleep is just as essential to your body as breathing, and lack of sleep can cause irritability as well as have a negative impact on your physical health. With less sunlight during these winter months our natural inclination is to hibernate, and you should! Allow yourself to sleep in on the weekends or sneak away from your to-do list to get a mid day nap.

Get to de-stressing! There’s usually a specific reason why you are feeling stressed out – whether that’s your job, your relationships, or something else. Pinpointing exactly where the stress is coming from can help you to realize (and relax) when it is happening. We’re now in a new year, it’s time to really evaluate the aspects of your life and make them what you want them to be!

Another thing to keep in mind is what you’re putting into your body during season changes. Constantly inhaling greasy food and unhealthy snacks will put you into a funk. Focus on eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables – they give a natural boost to your mood and energy! Staying hydrated also has a huge impact on your overall health – we recommend getting at least 8 glasses of water in your system a day.

GET A MASSAGE! Massage has an amazing effect on you body as it goes through season changes. Massage has been shown to decrease cortisol levels (stress hormones). This enables the body to enter a recovery mode and trigger feelings of relaxation, and happiness 🙂 With improved circulation, relaxed muscles, and the release of toxins your immune system is going to thank you for that 30-90 minutes you took for yourself!

GET A FACIAL! Winter tends to bring dry skin and a dull mood… but facials will do more than keep your skin hydrated (although that’s an awesome benefit!) There are hundreds of pressure points on your face that are connected to various systems in your body. When these pressure points are massaged, your body responds to it! A good facial and facial massage not only keeps your skin glowing, but it affects the functioning of your entire body.

Taking care of your body and mind is crucial to healing yourself and combating those seasonal blues. Precision Wellness is here to help!

Herbal Oil on a Molecular Level

massage-therapist-applying-herbal-oil-on-clients-foot

Herbal oil isn’t a magical cure-all potion, and it’s not something made to get you high; Cannabidiol (aka Herbal Oil) is a part of the cannabis plant that can leave a therapeutic, relaxing effect on people and truly impact your body in a positive way. With the recent interest in herbal oil, a lot of rumors have started to circulate. We hope that by explaining exactly how herbal oil affects your brain, many of the stereotypes and myths you have heard about will be dispelled.

Within your brain, the endocannabinoid system’s most important function is to maintain balance and homeostasis of almost everything going on in your body. CB1 and CB2 receptors make up the system, and these receptors are activated by anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol. Anandamide stimulates the CB1 receptors; while 2-AG stimulates both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 controls several physiological functions like sleeping, appetite, emotion, sensory perception, memory, and cognition; CB2 activation controls inflammation since these receptors are predominantly found in the immune system.

Now, THC binds to the CB1 receptors, altering your state of mind. Herbal oil, unlike THC, has a low binding affinity with the CB1 receptors which means it will not give you that ‘high’ feeling. Instead, CBD binds to different receptors and activates them to produce its therapeutic effects by getting transported by fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) to go through cell membranes.

One of the most common uses for herbal oil is for anxiety, as it directly activates a receptor called serotonin. As we know, serotonin creates a relaxing, calming effect on a person which can help with things like addiction, insomnia, and pain management (and so much more). Herbal oil also binds with TRPV1 receptors, which is known to mediate pain perception, inflammation, and body temperature making even more of an impact on your physical being. These are just a couple of the receptors that herbal oil influences, it’s been found that there are more than 65 molecular targets of Cannabidiol!

Remember how we mentioned Anandamide earlier? It is known as your ‘bliss molecule’ and is naturally found in the body. As mentioned, it stimulates your CB1 receptors which have a big impact on your emotions and sensory preception. Unfortunately anadamide gets transported by FABP to the enzymes that break it down, taking away its therapeutic effects. While herbal oil is in your system it is competing for FABP, leaving fewer for anadamide to bind with, thus leaving more of it in your body! Just another positive effect on your body by herbal oil!

Because of all these benefits, Precision Wellness offers massages and facials with a custom blend of herbal oil and your choice of aromatherapy. Whether you’re looking for deep tissue relaxation or are seeking relief from pain, this add-on is for you!

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning has become an increasingly popular exfoliation treatment as people branch out with their beauty regimes. This method uses a scalpel to gently scrape the dead skin of the top layer of skin to expose a brighter, softer complexion. It requires an experienced hand, which is why we only recommend getting this procedure done by a trained esthetician.

Benefits

Along with getting rid of that unwanted peach fuzz (that makes your makeup look all funky), dermaplaning also allows skincare products to easily penetrate and have a greater effect. Because this method has no harsh chemicals with it, it is a perfect treatment for pregnant or nursing women. Most treatments are quick (usually less than 30 minutes) and can be repeated every month. There aren’t any side effects, and clients experience radiant skin as soon as they’re done!

The Old Wives Tale

Some clients are nervous to start dermaplaning because they believe that shaving the peach fuzz on their face will make it grow back thicker and darker. But that’s not true! The superfine hair on your face grows back the same as it was before the procedure, and just like waxing it may get thinner with time!

Dermaplaning is effective on all skin types besides very oily or active acne. It’s also great for mature skin, as it can get rid of the buildup of skin cells that happen with age.

Herbal Oil and Self Care

Amendment 2 just passed in Missouri (whoop whoop) and you’re going to be hearing a lot about cannabis, or medical marijuana. This includes herbal oil which has been legal and used within the self-care industry for years. So, what is herbal oil?

A cannabis plant contains both Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana and is what makes a person feel ‘stoned’. Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol (aka Herbal Oil) is not psychoactive which makes it an appealing option for those who are looking for pain relief.

Herbal Oil has been shown to be a more natural alternative to prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs for things like stiffness, chronic pain, epilepsy, fighting cancer, acne, and Alzheimer’s disease! Within your body, you have the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) which plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood, and everyday experience. Herbal Oil stimulates the endocannabinoid system and helps promote homeostasis in the body, reducing the sensation of pain and inhibiting inflammation.

Herbal Oil has slowly been breaking into the health and beauty industries! Benefits of Herbal Oil in a massage include anti-inflammatory benefits, a boost to the immune system, reduction in anxiety, promotion of a sense of calmness and relaxation, and alleviation of chronic pains. Can you imagine being even more relaxed during a massage??

You already know that inflammation is the root cause of many skin troubles, from rosacea to acne. Herbal Oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can reduce puffiness, soothe, and even tighten skin which makes it perfect for facials!

If you’d like to see how Herbal Oil can work for your body, book with one of our therapists today!

The Long Term Benefits of Regular Facials

esthetician-touching-clients-face-with-both-hands-over-their-eyes

A lot of people spend a fair amount of money on expensive facial creams and moisturizers to tighten their skin, reduce wrinkles and age spots and maintain a youthful appearance. While some of these products work better than others, it’s mostly a short-term benefit. To get real and lasting long-term changes to your skin, you need to invest in regular facials.

Here are some of the top long-term benefits of getting facials on a consistent basis:

Regular Facials Lead To A More Even Skin Tone

The tiny crystals used in our microdermabrasion facials strategically remove cells from the outer layer of your skin. The function of this outer layer is to provide a barrier between the deeper layers of your skin and the outside world. As such most sun damage, hyperpigmentation and blemishes lie within that protective outer layer. Your body interprets the microdermabrasion’s removal of the outer layer as if you have a wound, and so it rushes to replace it with new and healthy cells, which leads to an evener skin tone.

Regular Facials Lead To Less Pronounced Wrinkles

Microdermabrasion benefits the aging skin as well. Due to new and healthy cells replacing old ones, skin texture is refined and fine lines and wrinkles become less pronounced. And while our facials only touch the outer layer of your skin, it puts the inner layers to work, leading to a stimulation of collagen-producing cells. The result is a smoother, younger skin surface.

Regular Facials Work For All Skintypes and Skintones

Other facial treatments like chemical peels and dermabrasion (an aggressive treatment that’s only performed in hospitals) can lead to discoloration and are therefore not suited for darker skin tones. Microdermabrasion facials are much more gentle though, and perfectly suitable for every skin type and every skin tone. On top of that, our Precision Wellness estheticians will adjust the intensity of your treatment to your individual skin characteristics and needs.

Your Existing Creams & Moisturizers Will Be More Effective

Because the outer layer of your skin is gone, moisturizers and creams penetrate the skin better and thus are far more effective than usual. On top of that Precision Wellness only uses carefully selected products from gentle, high-end brands, so you get the best results.

Regular Facials Can Lead To Long-Term Skin Improvements

If you get facials at regular intervals, you will start to see some amazing long-term benefits. Recent research has shown that repeated facials may influence the way the deeper layers of your skin grow, removing deeper skin problems over time.

Visit Precision Wellness today and get started on a regular facial schedule that will not allow you to pamper yourself and feel great, but your skin will reap long-term benefits.

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